I don't do mock drafts, but with this year's edition of the draft full of more plot twists than a Whodunit, I thought it might be fun. Hope you enjoy it!

TOP 5

Colorado at #1:L Jonathan Drouin. Drouin's outstanding season is too difficult to ignore. Does more than anyone else to contribute to goals, the most difficult thing to do in the game. I think he is a special offensive player.

Florida at #2: C Nathan MacKinnon. Absolutely a plug and play, he should step in immediately and should be an early Calder favorite.Could certainly go number one overall.

Tampa Bay at #3: D Seth Jones. Incredible that he could fall this far, and the Lightning would have to consider themselves extremely fortunate to land a franchise defenseman at this number. If the two Q players do go off the board as I've described, suspect the Lightning will receive a lot of offers for this selection.

Nashville at #4: C Sasha Barkov: This is the selection I'm most comfortable with in the top 5. Nashville needs a franchise C and Barkov is a plug and play.

Carolina at #5: L Valeri Nichushkin. The big Russian had an enormous impact on the draft at this year's NHL combine. I think he has a huge impact on the Oilers selection at #7.

FIVE THROUGH TEN

Calgary at #6:C Elias Lindholm. Lindholm has an impressive resume and could come to the NHL next season. Among the best offensive players available in this year's draft.

Edmonton at #7: C Sean Monahan. Outstanding 2-way center with enough offense to be considered a strong 2line C candidate when he arrives in the NHL. This is a 'perfect fit' for Edmonton.

Buffalo at #8: D Darnell Nurse: If Monahan isn't there, I expect the Oilers to take Nurse or deal down. Buffalo takes Nurse and he could come quickly to the NHL.

New Jersey at #9: D Rasmus Ristolainen: A nice range of skills, could play sooner than later. NJD will like the fact that he has played in a league against men and flourished.

Dallas at #10: C Curtis Lazar: Another perfect match for team and player. Lazar impresses with spirited play and attention to defensive detail, and is tough to play against. The offense helps too.

ELEVEN THROUGH TWENTY

Philadelphia at #11: C Fred Gauthier. Perfect Flyer selection. Don't worry, Oilers will have their chance to get him when Holmgren decides to trade good players again.

Phoenix at #12: C Hunter Shinkaruk: Phoenix takes the best pure offensive player remaining in the draft. They'll have to wait a couple of years (probably) but he should impact the offense on arrival.

Winnipeg at #13: C Bo Horvat. Winnipeg stays where they are and get an outstanding center who probably has enough offense to play on the second line when he arrives as an NHL player. Great value.

Columbus at #14: C Max Domi. Solid offense and a determined player, I do think his draft number suffered a little because of his Memorial Cup performance.

New York Islanders at #15: L Anthony Mantha. Scored 50 goals in the QMJHL this past season, and there is some talk he is NHL ready. The Islanders have to like the combination.

Buffalo at #16: C Alex Wennberg. Taking a defenseman in the top 10 allows the Sabres to reach a little for this lanky Swede who has a nice range of skills.

Ottawa at #17: L Kerby Rychel. A trending prospect, skilled and with a mean streak. Ottawa passes on some nice defensive options to take him, reaching a little.

Detroit at #18:D Ryan Pulock. A nice selection at this number, Pulock can do it all and has a plus shot. Best of all, the Red Wings will be very patient with him.

Columbus at #19: D Josh Morrissey. Fast, skilled and a player who impressed everyone with his season.

San Jose at #20:C Nicolas Petan. Small but very skilled. His offensive potential gets him here.

TWENTY-ONE THROUGH THIRTY

Toronto at #21:D Nikita Zadorov. Big Russian defender falls with the other blue in this draft, but represents solid value for the Leafs at this number.

Calgary Flames at #22: G Zachary Fucale. The Flames start the march of masked men in this draft by taking the highest ranked G on Craig Button's board.

Washington Capitals at #23:L Adam Erne. Skill winger has some toughness, should cover this bet.

As for the Oilers, I think they could pick 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th or trade out of the first round altogether. Completely unpredictable. What a week!

Lowetide has been one of the Oilogosphere's shining lights for over a century. You can check him out here at OilersNation and at lowetide.ca. He is also the host of Lowdown with Lowetide weekday mornings 10-noon on TSN 1260.

I don't think it will cost that much to move up the two spots required to get Barkov. I fully expect Nichushkin to be drafted at #3, bumping Drouin down to #4 and Barkov to #5. If Nichushkin doesn't get taken, then Nichushkin would be cool to have too. Perhaps the #7 and Nick Schultz could do it

This, I believe can play out almost the same way, flipping Drouin and Nichushkin, after the combine I think TB was convinced that Nichushkin is a man amongst kids.

This leaves the Hurricanes open to trade. I took some heat for this but I'll say it again, our 7th plus Smid for a chance to draft Barkov.

Seguin was next to invisible in the last 2 rounds of the playoffs, and for pretty much the same $$ that Gagner wants, Id take Frodo anyday over Seguin.

Like Taylor Hall, Tyler still has a way to go as far as being one of the heavy lifters goes. Hall and Seguin, will both continue to progress as years go by. Playing behind the likes of Lucic, Horton, Marchand, Krejci and Bergeron, is a difficult job, but someone has to do it. Seguin will be fine.

Wow.......I'm always surprised just HOW WIDE the gap is in opinions about the value of Sam Gagner......the degree of the gap is strange.....seriously....I wonder what it is that causes some of us to see this guy so differently?

Sam will be the next over-paid underachiever, the Oiler list as been long. Sam played for the biggest contract he’s likely to negotiate last year and wasn’t very good in too many areas of the ice.

Wait until he signs that big 20M contract and becomes a larger liability. This will get ugly...

I would have to think NJ 2013 is in play, I honestly have them pegged for a lottery spot next year, I think they might be unwise to keep this pick.

Trading that selection is the same thing as keeping the selection though. It would force them to surrender the last possible option remaining (being the 14 one). I do agree with you, next yrs selection could have much better value than this summers, especially if Elias and Clarkson choose other options.

As for part two, would you move the 7th. 37th and Marincin to get Barkov ?

I would do it no question, nothing is a sure thing but Barkov is more a sure thing then #7 and for sure 37th, Marincin looks great but he sin't in the NHL yet so anything could happen. I would make this trade as the Oilers lose no roster players (none that will be on the team this coming season) and they add one AND that he might be that 1A centre.

Now 7th and 37th could both be all stars and Marincin a top 4 but I would say unlikely to all those happening, Barkov would be a HUGE addition.

The only area of strength the Oilers have in my opinion is trading guys like Klefbom (who I wouldnt trade) and Marincin and company, they look like they will be future NHL players and potential solid NHL players but you never know and some team might need to ship a solid NHL guy for one of these guys to stay under the cap, I think this is the element of risk Mac T was talking about (not worrying what a player might become but more what he means to the club currently).

Trading that selection is the same thing as keeping the selection though. It would force them to surrender the last possible option remaining (being the 14 one). I do agree with you, next yrs selection could have much better value than this summers, especially if Elias and Clarkson choose other options.

Throws Adam Larssons name into the ring for discussion.

I'm thinking that pick might be had for very little, Just throwing a name out there but a guy like Schultz Sr and a second?

OilersNation draft talk - where for some posters, a bird in the bush is worth two, three, or even four in the hand.

So DSF is predicting that Barkov will be a better player in his first year than Ganye is now? What's his predictive batting average anyway? Metaphorically exactly the same as a broken clock I'd wager - twice in every 1440.

Hint: Barkov NHLE 40 pts. Gagner rookie 49 pts. Barkov will be outperforming his draft ranking just to match Sammy's first year. BTW, in this super-deep draft, only Drouin's NHLE is comparable to what Sammy hit.

To those suggesting trading the 7th pick and Smid for the 4th pick - are you f*cking insane? That is trading Lindholm, Monahan, or Nichuskin - all with a solid chance of being good NHL players, with even a slight chance of being better than Barkov, yes, that's the way drafting works - plus an experienced top 4D for a player who's never played a single game in the NHL. That would be a stupidly insane trade even if it didn't create a gaping hole in the Oilers lineup - which it does.

Wonder what it would take to bring over Dustin Brown from the Kings. LA has some financial challenges going into the offseason, along with him being a UFA next summer. Marincin and the Oils first in 2014?

OilersNation draft talk - where for some posters, a bird in the bush is worth two, three, or even four in the hand.

So DSF is predicting that Barkov will be a better player in his first year than Ganye is now? What's his predictive batting average anyway? Metaphorically exactly the same as a broken clock I'd wager - twice in every 1440.

Hint: Barkov NHLE 40 pts. Gagner rookie 49 pts. Barkov will be outperforming his draft ranking just to match Sammy's first year. BTW, in this super-deep draft, only Drouin's NHLE is comparable to what Sammy hit.

To those suggesting trading the 7th pick and Smid for the 4th pick - are you f*cking insane? That is trading Lindholm, Monahan, or Nichuskin - all with a solid chance of being good NHL players, with even a slight chance of being better than Barkov, yes, that's the way drafting works - plus an experienced top 4D for a player who's never played a single game in the NHL. That would be a stupidly insane trade even if it didn't create a gaping hole in the Oilers lineup - which it does.

I think you need to step back and really look at what you just said.

You have some good points.

However, if I may counter point

Barkov rookie year is projected to be 40 points... The big thing here is rookie.

What you missed is that Barkov is already an accomplished two way forward, so what he lacks in initial offense on Gagner he makes up on defense.

While Lindholm and Monahan are going to be good NHL players, Barkov is going to be elite, think RNH with size.

Lindholm is not going to play here next year and Monahan may need a year in the AHL

Would you have said the same about Smid, if it was to move up and pick RNH?

Who's NHLE was almost identical to Barkov

Elite, number 1 centre are impossible to trade for after they become established so now would be the best, lowest cost to obtain one.

Unless you want an overaged, overpriced, injury prone centre who will be a huge overpayment to bring him here thinking of Horton here.

Here's the thing about Smid, MacTavish is not a huge fan first of all.

Smid is a good to average second pairing defensmen , possible a 5th on a good team.

If the Oilers add Ranger, if they can trade for a top pairing defensmen or make a deal for Garnier then why would you care where Smid goes?

As much as you laugh at people suggesting trading Oiler assets, I equally laugh at all those people who overvalue Oiler players.

Smid + 7th and a prospect or pick is NOT insane, nor unreasonable to move up to draft a number 1 centre!

So go find a number 1 centre with term, at a reasonable cap hit that doesn't have a NTC or a NMC.

Barkov rookie year is projected to be 40 points... The big thing here is rookie.

What you missed is that Barkov is already an accomplished two way forward, so what he lacks in initial offense on Gagner he makes up on defense.

While Lindholm and Monahan are going to be good NHL players, Barkov is going to be elite, think RNH with size.

Lindholm is not going to play here next year and Monahan may need a year in the AHL

Would you have said the same about Smid, if it was to move up and pick RNH?

Who's NHLE was almost identical to Barkov

Elite, number 1 centre are impossible to trade for after they become established so now would be the best, lowest cost to obtain one.

Unless you want an overaged, overpriced, injury prone centre who will be a huge overpayment to bring him here thinking of Horton here.

Here's the thing about Smid, MacTavish is not a huge fan first of all.

Smid is a good to average second pairing defensmen , possible a 5th on a good team.

If the Oilers add Ranger, if they can trade for a top pairing defensmen or make a deal for Garnier then why would you care where Smid goes?

As much as you laugh at people suggesting trading Oiler assets, I equally laugh at all those people who overvalue Oiler players.

Smid + 7th and a prospect or pick is NOT insane, nor unreasonable to move up to draft a number 1 centre!

So go find a number 1 centre with term, at a reasonable cap hit that doesn't have a NTC or a NMC.

I would hold off on calling Barkov an elite #1 NHL centreman till he gets there. I think he projects as a strong number 2. He has a slightly worse points per game than Michael Granlund did his draft year and now Granlund struggled in the NHL 3 years later. To suggest Barkov will immediately be better than Gagner is a massive long shot. It wouldt't surprise me if Lindholm turned out to be the better player. I think people are overvaluing size when it comes to these two.

Wow.......I'm always surprised just HOW WIDE the gap is in opinions about the value of Sam Gagner......the degree of the gap is strange.....seriously....I wonder what it is that causes some of us to see this guy so differently?

Some people understand playoff hockey and what it takes to win. Since the Oilers have been out for seven long years the younger generation might not have that understanding.

Some people don't understand it is not all about the points scored. It is all about the games won. Personally I would take a complete player with less points over a one dimensional player such as Gagner.

Some people understand playoff hockey and what it takes to win. Since the Oilers have been out for seven long years the younger generation might not have that understanding.

Some people don't understand it is not all about the points scored. It is all about the games won. Personally I would take a complete player with less points over a one dimensional player such as Gagner.

You have never seen Gagner in the playoffs. For sure a team needs complete players on it but I've never heard people say much about conn symthe winner Patrick Kane's defensive prowess. Maybe Gagner would have an 8 point night in the finals. And last season was a step backwards for Sam. The season before he was plus 5 on an even worse Oilers team. He may do that again. He's not even in his prime yet.

You have never seen Gagner in the playoffs. For sure a team needs complete players on it but I've never heard people say much about conn symthe winner Patrick Kane's defensive prowess. Maybe Gagner would have an 8 point night in the finals. And last season was a step backwards for Sam. The season before he was plus 5 on an even worse Oilers team. He may do that again. He's not even in his prime yet.

You just compared Gagner to Kane. I have seen Kane play, Gagner is no Kane.

To paraphrase.

Gretzky was not known for his defensive play either. You are going to compare Gagner to him too? He did get that eight point game once.

You just compared Gagner to Kane. I have seen Kane play, Gagner is no Kane.

To paraphrase.

Gretzky was not known for his defensive play either. You are going to compare Gagner to him too? He did get that eight point game once.

I didn't say that Gagner is as good as Kane. I said They are both purely Offensive Players. Until we see Gagner in the playoffs it's all speculation. Gagner has as much or more drive than Kane. He could be a playoff beast for all we know.

Bringing up Kane was to point out that not every player on the team has to be a "blue collar" "2-way" player.

The Oilers have enough high end skill guys. What they need is some size, toughness, grit and some tenacity on the top two lines. All things Gagner lacks. Someone has to go to get those players on the team.

Gagner is my choice of the small skilled forwards to be moved .Who is yours outside the obvious Hemsky?

Wow.......I'm always surprised just HOW WIDE the gap is in opinions about the value of Sam Gagner......the degree of the gap is strange.....seriously....I wonder what it is that causes some of us to see this guy so differently?

I think the opinions on Seguin are all over the place. Maybe because he is stuck in Boston playing behind Bergeron and DK, but he has not shown glimpses in 3 years. His rookie playoff run he was benched till the third round and then had some memorable moments. He had a good second season, but this season and playoffs and your going "I dunno."

I would say that Finland has some good players but no depth. Gagner would make team Canada ahead of Barkov.

Finland won the World Championship gold in 2011...I think they have some depth.

Here's a scouting report on Barkov:

"Barkov was named the best player at the Under-20 4-Nation Tournament in Sundsvall, Sweden, in November when Finland won the silver medal. He had three assists in three games, finished with a plus-2 rating and won 59 percent of his faceoffs. He was on the ice for eight of his country's nine goals in the tournament.

"He's big, strong and a hard worker in all areas of the ice," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a sniper who can also set up scoring chances for teammates. He's a two-way center with a good understanding of his defensive duties, stickhandles well in tight situations, and always seems to come out as a winner. He'll probably go among the top three at the draft."

As a 16-year-old, Barkov had one goal and four points in seven games for Finland at last year's tournament. At 16 years and four months, he became the youngest Finnish player to score a goal at the WJC on Jan. 2, 2012, in an 8-5 quarterfinal-round triumph over Slovakia.

For the record, Sidney Crosby was 21 days older when he scored his first goal during the 2004 WJC for Canada"

Finland won the World Championship gold in 2011...I think they have some depth.

Here's a scouting report on Barkov:

"Barkov was named the best player at the Under-20 4-Nation Tournament in Sundsvall, Sweden, in November when Finland won the silver medal. He had three assists in three games, finished with a plus-2 rating and won 59 percent of his faceoffs. He was on the ice for eight of his country's nine goals in the tournament.

"He's big, strong and a hard worker in all areas of the ice," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a sniper who can also set up scoring chances for teammates. He's a two-way center with a good understanding of his defensive duties, stickhandles well in tight situations, and always seems to come out as a winner. He'll probably go among the top three at the draft."

As a 16-year-old, Barkov had one goal and four points in seven games for Finland at last year's tournament. At 16 years and four months, he became the youngest Finnish player to score a goal at the WJC on Jan. 2, 2012, in an 8-5 quarterfinal-round triumph over Slovakia.

For the record, Sidney Crosby was 21 days older when he scored his first goal during the 2004 WJC for Canada"

The difference is I think Barkov is a good player. The fact that he's on the Finish Olympic team doesn't mean Gagner sucks. You know who Gagner has to compete with? Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Duchene, Thorton, Getzlaf, Spezza, Toews, Bergeron, Richards, the Staals, and the list goes on.

The difference is I think Barkov is a good player. The fact that he's on the Finish Olympic team doesn't mean Gagner sucks. You know who Gagner has to compete with? Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Duchene, Thorton, Getzlaf, Spezza, Toews, Bergeron, Richards, the Staals, and the list goes on.

So, in other words, Gagner is far, far from being among the best at his position.

While I agree it is easier to earn a spot on the Finnish team, you have to realize that Barkov is only 18.

He is the youngest player ever to score in the SM Liga and that includes some pretty good players.

Here's another scouting report for your enjoyment:

Barkov is one of the greatest NHL Entry Draft prospects to ever come out of Finland.

He is a tremendously advanced player, with elite hockey sense. He regularly logged 20 minutes this season, which is rare for a September-born 17-year-old in Finland's top league.

He has an incredible amount of patience, vision, and awareness. He can slow the game down and dictate the tempo, as well as be the focal point on the power play.

He also has a high level of defensive skill, showing ability at a very young age to be a quality defensive center. He has good technique on faceoffs, as he keeps his hands low, pulling pucks back quickly.

Despite having good puck skills, he is not a player who will consistently try to stickhandle around players. He is selective, but he has the talent to create offense out of nothing.

Barkov is a big, strong player. He will not crash and bang, but he protects the puck well. His skating is a tick below average. It is possible he could improve to an average skater, but his game will not be predicated on blazing past defenders. When bringing the puck out of his zone, he tends to prefer making a good pass rather than rushing the puck up.

The difference is I think Barkov is a good player. The fact that he's on the Finish Olympic team doesn't mean Gagner sucks. You know who Gagner has to compete with? Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Duchene, Thorton, Getzlaf, Spezza, Toews, Bergeron, Richards, the Staals, and the list goes on.

That's the problem citizen dave, Gags isn't good enough to compete against any of those centres you've mentioned.

And your defense of him is - since the Oilers haven't played in the playoffs we don't know how great he'll do - dang he could become a beast!

Dave get off the computor, grab a coffee and some fresh air and clear that head.